2024 Winter Commencement Ceremony
Commencement Information
- DATE: Friday, December 13, 2024 at 6:00 pm
Note: In the event of inclement weather, Commencement will be held on Saturday, December 14th at 4pm. Decision would be made by noon on December 13th. Notification to students would be sent via text and email. - LOCATION: Commencement will be held in the Conference Center at the Fond du Lac campus – 235 N. National Avenue, Fond du Lac WI 54935.
- Students who are applying to earn a Technical Diploma or Associate Degree must apply for graduation to be included in the ceremony program.
For questions regarding commencement, please contact Heather Clark at hclark4@morainepark.edu.
Click the link below for Moraine Park’s Commencement Ceremony Livestream on December 13.
Click the link below for the Nursing Pinning Ceremony Livestream on December 13.
Commencement will be held in the Conference Center at the Fond du Lac Campus at 235 N. National Avenue, Fond du Lac WI.
Guest tickets will be required.
On the day of the ceremony graduate candidates should arrive by 5:00 pm to check in and get lined up for the processional.
Please stop by the registration table for directions. Instructions will be given to the graduate candidates on the day of commencement. Please be sure to follow the directions of the ushers and speakers during the commencement ceremony.
Graduate candidates should not bring valuables to the commencement ceremony as there is no place to store/secure these items. Purses, coats, cell phones/electronics and similar items should not be brought into the event space.
Graduate candidates are expected to remain in their designated seat throughout the ceremony. Graduate candidates who leave the commencement ceremony will not be allowed to rejoin the ceremony while in progress.
Regalia
Regalia will be available to purchase at the Spirit Store beginning November 4th both in store and online.
Please note:
- Online regalia sales will end December 5th.
- IN-Store only regalia sales will continue until Commencement.
Honors/High Honors Recognition
Recognition of academic excellence will be determined by the cumulative grade point average (GPA) achieved at the time the degree or technical diploma (minimum 20-credit program) is awarded. Honors designations will not be retroactively awarded.
- High Honors designation is a cumulative GPA between 3.75 and 4.0.
- Honors designation is a cumulative GPA between 3.50 and 3.74.
NOTE: Honors/High Honors designation for the Commencement Ceremony is based on cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) as of the end of the preceding semester spring/summer. No exceptions will be made. To view your cumulative GPA you can view your unofficial transcript here: myMPTC student>My Student Center (Class Registration and more)>Unofficial Transcript
Honor cords will be distributed at commencement to students who qualify for the distinction.
Commencement Speaker: Mike Phelan, President and CEO of BCI Burke Co.
For the past nine years, Mike Phelan has served as the President and CEO of BCI Burke, having originally joined the company in 2012 as Vice President of Operations. Under his leadership, Burke has not only focused on product innovation and expansion, but also significantly expanding distribution through representatives across North America, and also on acquisitive growth to drive the company’s success.
Mike and his team have transformed Burke’s manufacturing operations with state-of-the-art equipment and facilities and have grown Burke’s workforce with top talent. These initiatives have significantly increased brand awareness and position Burke as a market leader.
Before his time at Burke, Mike gained extensive operational experience, including serving as General Manager of North American operations at Associated Spring. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Illinois and a master’s in engineering management from the Milwaukee School of Engineering.
Mike and his wife, Sandra, have been married for 26 years and live in Fond du Lac with their four children. Their oldest, Corrie, is 21 and a junior at UW-Madison studying Environmental Engineering, while also performing in the Badger marching band. Their 16-year-old twins, Dalton and Delaney, are both juniors at Fond du Lac High School, and their youngest, Cole, is 15 and a freshman at the same school.
Alumni Speaker: Carrie Kasubaski, Vice President of Finance and Administration at Moraine Park Technical College.
Carrie Kasubaski is a dedicated leader with a focus in higher education. In her role as Vice President of Finance and Administration at Moraine Park Technical College, she strives to support the success of others and the organization as a whole. Over the years, she has been fortunate to serve in various roles including faculty where she was able to make a direct impact on the lives of students. It has been a true blessing for Carrie to serve in the very place where her own education began, giving her the unique opportunity to give back to the community that shaped her.
Student Speaker: Charles Dreher III, Student Ambassador
Charles (Chaz) is set to earn an Associate of Applied Science degree in CNC/Tool and Die Technologies from Moraine Park Technical College in May 2025. Chaz’s interest in CNC machining began in high school when he started working part-time at his uncle’s CNC shop, sparking a passion that led him to pursue further education and experience in the field. His commitment to technical education and his community has led to him being selected as 2024-2025 MPTC District Student Ambassador.
In addition to his Ambassador role, Chaz has been actively engaged in his student community, serving as the CNC club President, West Bend Student Senate Secretary, District Student Government (DSG) President, and was elected as Parliamentarian for the Wisconsin Student Government (WSG) executive board.
Beyond academics, Chaz is an avid runner, an outdoorsman, and enjoys spending time with family and friends. In the future, he hopes to continue to work in the manufacturing field and run a 100-mile endurance race.
Empire Photography has been photographing our commencement ceremonies for many years. Each graduate is photographed as they receive their diploma, and a solo portrait is also taken after they exit the stage. Proofs will be sent to graduates and their families approximately 48 hours after the ceremony.
View the QR code or follow the link to register: www.empirephotos.com/gradregistration
If you have any questions, please email Empire Photography at customerservice@empirephotos.com.
Graduate candidates will receive a diploma cover when they cross the stage during commencement. Only those students who participate in the commencement ceremony will receive a diploma cover.
Diplomas will be mailed to the address provided on the Graduation Candidacy form approximately 8 weeks after the end of the semester and is contingent upon successful completion of all program requirements.
Graduation Instructions
- Students are eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony if they:
- Have submitted their RSVP by completing a graduation application by October 1, 2024. Application instructions are available HERE. *If you missed the deadline and still want to participate in the ceremony please contact Heather Clark at hclark4@morainepark.edu to see if arrangements can be made.
- Are completing an associate degree or technical diploma program.
- Have met, or will meet all program/graduation requirements in the academic year OR have 6 or less credits left that will be completed in the Spring/Summer term.
- NOTE: Participation in the commencement ceremony does not guarantee graduation from a program.
- Students can verify all course requirements are met by checking their degree audits (instructions) Contact your advisor if you need help determining your status.
- All students must submit a Graduation Candidacy form during their last semester to identify intention to graduate for every program requested.
- A minimum of 25 percent of the total program credits required in a degree, diploma or certificate program must be completed in residency (courses taught by MPTC instructors).
- Students in all programs are required to achieve a grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or better in all attempted credits required in the program.
- All financial obligations to Moraine Park Technical College must be fulfilled in order to obtain certificate, diploma or degree documentation.
- A graduation application must be completed in order to receive your certificate, technical diploma or associate degree.
- A graduation application must be completed even if you are not participating in the commencement ceremony.
Graduation applications are accepted at any time; however, the following deadlines apply to the commencement ceremony:
Mid-Year Ceremony; December
- October 1 – Form must be submitted by this date to guarantee graduate candidate’s name will appear in the commencement program and to participate in the ceremony.
Spring Ceremony- May
- March 1 – Form must be submitted by this date to guarantee graduate candidate’s name will appear in the commencement program. The ceremony is for Associate Degree or Technical Diploma’s only. Certificate students do not participate in the ceremony.
Graduates requiring disability-related accommodations to attend commencement must request accommodation(s) by contacting an Accommodation Specialist in Disability Resources by December 1st 2024 through https://morainepark-accommodate.symplicity.com/public_accommodation/.
Guests requiring disability-related accommodations to attend commencement should contact Becky Kuszynski, Disability Resources Manager at 920-924-3361, TTY/VP: Use Relay/VRS, or bkuszynski@morainepark.edu to make arrangements by December 1st 2024.
2024 Spring Commencement Photos
